. >> norma jean dougherty's husband was in the merchant marines. >> she was just another war wife. certain captain named ronald reagan decided it would be important to document the women worker. he sent a photographer out to find the prettiest woman on the assembly line, and this photographer found marilyn monroe. that was the start of marilyn monroe's career. >> many hollywood starlets did their part to help the war effort. in 1942, veronica leak cut off her trademark long hair in an effort to urge women factory workers to adopt a safer hairstyle. >> betty ghraible came close to displaying the traits. she was a glamorous movie star. >> sexy. >> sexy. and she was also a mother and the girl next door. she got letters from men who told her that, you know, looking at her picture reminded them of everything they were fighting for. >> this legendary pinup photo reached an estimated 5 million g.i.s. but hollywood actresses weren't limited to just looking pretty. >> hetty lamar does her bit. >> she had beauty and brains. in 1942, she helped patent a device later used by our military durin